Away from bunnies for 5 weeks

[WinslowAndPoppet]

I have the opportunity to spend five weeks teaching in Belize through a program at my university. It’s not until March-April, when I hope to have my 2 bunnies bonded. I have an aunt who, although she’s never cared for rabbits, has agreed to take care of them and I think she would be diligent in following my very explicit instructions. Have any of you been away from your rabbits for an extended period of time? I guess I don’t fully trust anyone else to care for them like I do, and I’ve never been away from them before. I suppose I’m just looking for encouragement and advice. Thanks!

[LittlePuffyTail]

The longest I’ve been away from my buns is 8 days, but lots of members have been away for longer periods of time.

Would your buns be staying at your aunts house?

Since you have lots of time beforehand, if possible, have your aunt over as much as possible to get to know your buns before you leave.

Make her a very detailed list of care, including an easy to read daily care list (feeding, cleaning, etc) as well as a list of veggies/fruits your buns are used to, a first aid list and small first aid kit, and a list of vets including emergency numbers.

You can find many similar threads if you do a forum search with words “bun or pet sitter list”, you can also find info on first aid kits/lists by doing a search.

Congrats on your teaching opportunity!

[Stickerbunny]

I’ve never been away from them that long, longest was 10 days. My boyfriend took care of them for the 10 days and I left him instructions on how to do things he had never done – I do all the care for the animals, he mainly just plays with them. He mostly did what I told him to, but he lost the simethicone by time I got home and let them chew huge holes in my carpet. lol

If you’re going to be away, I would leave an emergency contact number, maybe a pre-paid credit card with her in case of vet needs and a pad with a check list of daily stuff to do for them that she can check off and tear off the sheet at the end of the day. Pellets and such can be separated into little ziplock baggies and put into a tupperware container for the five weeks so she doesn’t over feed. And you could make a salad recipe for them that she could follow. And if she is computer savvy, you could set up a webcam for her so she could show you the babies while you’re away.

[longhairmike]

we managed 48 hours a few times

[mia]

Expect behavioral changes when you get back. I was gone for almost a month and my buns were mad at me for a while after I got back. Other than that, I don’t think there’s anything different compared to shorter trips.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I was away for a month and they stayed at a friends house. I came back and went to pick them up. When they got home they just resumed where we left off they acted the exact same and held no grudge. So it can really go either way but if they do hold a grudge eventually, things return back to normal.

[justwildbeat]

Longest I’ve been away was two weeks. Roommate fed and did basic cage clean up while I was gone. I’ve taken several short 3 – 4 trips as well. For the most part it’s worked out well. Though I once caught him feeding my bun salted nuts (people snacks) despite explicit instructions not to give unapproved food. After a “talk” (lecture) it hasn’t happened since.

I can tell my bun gets a little grumpy while I’m gone by the amount of damage he does to his cage and play area lol. After a few treats all is forgiven though lol. Congrats on the teaching opportunity too!

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